Methods and apparatus for providing and uploading content to personalized network storage

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for delivering, uploading, and storing content for users of a network so that the user has “virtual” ownership of and access to the content, thereby obviating the need for additional storage space at the client premises and offering seamless compliance with copyright laws. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and sessions are used to deliver content to the requesting owner and then back to storage space associated with the head-end where the content remains available for future subscriber requests. Various other complementary features for enhancing the user&#39;s virtual ownership experience are also disclosed.

PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of, and claims priority to, co-ownedand co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/797,577 of the sametitle and filed on Mar. 12, 2013, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. This application is related to commonly ownedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/440,490 filed May 24, 2006 andentitled “PERSONAL CONTENT SERVER APPARATUS AND METHODS”, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/811,953 filed Jun. 11, 2007 entitled“METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING VIRTUAL CONTENT OVER A NETWORK”,each of the foregoing incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technological Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of providingcontent over a network and other distribution channels, and specificallyin one aspect to the configuration, delivery, upload, and storage ofsuch content over a managed network such as e.g., cable televisionnetwork.

2. Description of Related Technology

Recent advances in video capture and data storage technologies have ledto the proliferation of consumer electronics devices that allow a userto record video programming or other content received from a bearernetwork (such as a cable television or satellite network) on a digitalvideo recorder (DVR) or personal video recorder (PVR), andcontemporaneously or subsequently access the content. The advent of PVRtechnology has greatly increased the ability of a subscriber to utilizecertain content delivered over their cable system on their schedule.Some PVR devices can be used to transmit the stored content over anetwork interface to another device (which may or may not be remote fromthe PVR) where the same or another user can access the content. As aresult, PVRs allow users a great degree of control over the playback andviewing of their selected content.

Additionally, network-based content recording and storage allow users ofa network to obtain what would otherwise be “live” content (e.g., lineartelevision broadcasts or the like) at a time convenient to the user.These systems typically receive instructions from the user as to whichprogramming they want to view, and the network “cloud” streams therequested content to that user. Variants of these types of systemseither receive prior instructions from a user before the broadcast ofthe live event, or alternatively store various content based on someother criteria (e.g., popularity), and then allow the user a period oftime to watch it.

However, content source or copyright owner must have assurances that thenetwork operator (e.g., multiple systems operator or MSO) which isentrusted with their valuable content will process and distribute thiscontent within the limitations of the law, and not expose the content toundue risk of unauthorized reproduction or distribution. Content ownersmay be concerned with the reproduction of copies of their content withinthe network for distribution purposes. For example, a network operatormay have restrictions on replicating and/or distributing contentreceived from the content source. Certain activities are generallyrecognized as not being in violation of a content owner's copyright. Forexample, so called “time shifting” (i.e., recording or storing thecontent for later viewing), and “space shifting” (i.e., moving contentfrom one device or medium to another) of content owned by a purchaser incertain circumstances are recognized by U.S. courts as not violatingcopyrights. However, the application of such rules is typically quitefact-specific, such as in the case of networked PVRs (NPVRs).

Network operators that provide users with personalized PVR functionalityand storage in the network can simplify the distribution and upgradeprocess of their services, and offer potentially unlimited storagecapacity, without sacrificing ease of use or convenience at the userend. However, current PVR and NPVR implementations avoid uploadingcontent to network storage when the content has already been received ata PVR or NPVR, due in part to restrictions associated with uploadbandwidth, thereby potentially leaving some copyright concernsunaddressed.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved methods and apparatus whicheffectively balances the preservation of copyright interests with theconvenience and flexibility of PVR and NPVR functionality.

These methods and apparatus would also, in one embodiment, be providedusing substantially extant network infrastructure and components, andwould be compatible with a number of different client device anddelivery systems, including both wired and wireless technologies.

SUMMARY

The foregoing needs are satisfied by providing improved apparatus andmethods for content management and device configuration for uploadingand storing content over a content network.

In a first aspect, a method of content management is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the method is utilized within a content delivery networkhaving a plurality of users, and the method includes receiving contentat a client device, the client device associated with at least one ofthe plurality of users of the network; and in response to the act ofreceiving, causing at least a portion of the content to be uploaded to astorage entity of the network. In one variant, the storage entity isconfigured to store the content at a storage location specificallyassociated with at least the at least one user.

In another aspect, a network apparatus configured to obtain and storecontent from one or more client devices is disclosed. In one embodiment,the apparatus includes: a storage apparatus; and a digital processorconfigured to run at least one computer program thereon, the computerprogram comprising a plurality of instructions. In one variant, theinstructions are configured to, when executed, cause the networkapparatus to: configure at least one of the one or more client devicesfor upload; receive a request from at least one of the one or moreclient devices for the content; determine whether the requested contenthas previously been uploaded to a storage location specificallyassociated with the one or more client devices; and based at least inpart on the determination, provide the requested content to the at leastone of the one or more client devices.

In another aspect, a method of managing content via a content deliverynetwork, so as to ensure copyright preservation is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the method includes: recording a first content element on arecording device at a first location, the recording device beingassociated with a first user; automatically uploading the first contentelement to a second device at a second location, the second locationbeing in communication with the first location via the content deliverynetwork, the first content element being made accessible only to thefirst user so as to protect a copyright associated with the firstcontent element.

In a further aspect, a consumer premises device is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the device includes computerized logic configured to causedownload of content from a network entity to the device (or a proxythereof), and also upload of the content back to the same or differentnetwork entity, the receiving network entity having one or more accessrestrictions associated therewith.

In yet another aspect, a computer readable apparatus is disclosed. Inone embodiment, the apparatus includes a storage medium and at least onecomputer program disposed thereon, the at least one program configuredto, when executed, implement content copyright protection uploadfunctionality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary hybridfiber coax (HFC) cable network configuration useful with various aspectsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 1a is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary HFCcable network head-end configuration useful with various aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 1b is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary localservice node configuration useful with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1c is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplarybroadcast switched architecture (BSA) useful with various aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 1d is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplarypacketized content delivery network architecture useful with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of one exemplary embodiment of thesystem architecture according to the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of one exemplary embodiment of anetwork server apparatus adapted for use with the system architecture ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of one exemplary embodiment ofconsumer premises equipment (CPE) adapted for use with the systemarchitecture.

FIG. 5 is a logical flowchart illustrating one embodiment of thegeneralized content delivery, upload and storage methodology of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer tolike parts throughout.

As used herein, the term “application” refers generally and withoutlimitation to a unit of executable software that implements a certainfunctionality or theme. The themes of applications vary broadly acrossany number of disciplines and functions (such as on-demand contentmanagement, e-commerce transactions, brokerage transactions, homeentertainment, calculator etc.), and one application may have more thanone theme. The unit of executable software generally runs in apredetermined environment; for example, the unit could comprise adownloadable Java Xlet™ that runs within the JavaTV™ environment.

As used herein the term “browser” refers to any computer program,application or module which provides network access capabilityincluding, without limitation, Internet browsers adapted for accessingone or more websites or URLs over the Internet, as well as any “useragent” including those adapted for visual, aural, or tactilecommunications.

As used herein, the terms “client device” and “end user device” include,but are not limited to, set-top boxes (e.g., DSTEts), digital televisionsets, personal computers (PCs), and minicomputers, whether desktop,laptop, or otherwise, and mobile devices such as handheld computers,PDAs, personal media devices (PMDs), such as for example an iPod™ orMotorola ROKR, and smartphones.

As used herein, the term “codec” refers to an video, audio, or otherdata coding and/or decoding algorithm, process or apparatus including,without limitation, those of the MPEG (e.g., MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4,etc.), Real (RealVideo, etc.), AVC/H.264, AC-3 (audio), DiVX, XViD/ViDX,Windows Media Video (e.g., WMV 7, 8, or 9), ATI Video codec, or VC-I(SMPTE standard 421M) families.

As used herein, the term “computer program” or “software” is meant toinclude any sequence or human or machine cognizable steps which performa function. Such program may be rendered in virtually any programminglanguage or environment including, for example, C/C++, Fortran, COBOL,PASCAL, assembly language, markup languages (e.g., HTML, SGML, XML,VoXML), and the like, as well as object-oriented environments such asthe Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), Java™ (includingJ2ME, Java Beans, etc.) and the like.

As used herein, the term “conditional access” refers to any accesscontrol scheme, whether implemented in hardware, software, or firmware(or combinations thereof), including without limitation members of the“Powerkey” family (Powerkey Book 2, Powerkey Book 3, etc.), NDS(including VideoGuard, mVideoGuard, etc.), ANSI/SCTE Standard 52 2003(DVS-042), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, andMotorola/General Instrument DigiCipher® family (DigiCipher II, etc.).These can be implemented using, for example, the so-called “CableCard”plug-in security module access technology, a downloadable CA system(DCAS), or otherwise.

The terms “Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)” and “host device” referwithout limitation to any type of electronic equipment located within acustomer's or user's premises and connected to a network. The term “hostdevice” refers generally to a terminal device that has access to digitaltelevision content via a satellite, cable, or terrestrial network. Thehost device functionality may be integrated into a digital television(DTV) set. The term “customer premises equipment” (CPE) includes suchelectronic equipment such as set-top boxes (e.g., DSTBs), televisions,cable modems (CMs), embedded multimedia terminal adapters (eMTAs),whether stand-alone or integrated with other devices, Digital VideoRecorders (DVR), gateway storage devices (Furnace), and ITV PersonalComputers.

As used herein, the term “database” refers generally to one or moretangible or virtual data storage locations, which may or may not bephysically co-located with each other or other system components.

As used herein, the term “display” means any type of device adapted todisplay information, including without limitation CRTs, LCDs, TFTs,plasma displays, LEDs, incandescent and fluorescent devices. Displaydevices may also include less dynamic devices such as, for example,printers, e-ink devices, and the like.

As used herein, the term “DVR” (digital video recorder) refers generallyto any type or recording mechanism and/or software environment orfunction whereby content sent over a network can be recorded andselectively recalled, including without limitation so-called “personalvideo recording” (PVR) functions or devices. Such DVR may be dedicatedin nature, or part of a non-dedicated or multi-function system.

As used herein, the term “DOCSIS” refers to any of the existing orplanned variants of the Data Over Cable Services InterfaceSpecification, including for example DOCSIS versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 and3.0. DOCSIS (version 1.0) is a standard and protocol for internet accessusing a “digital” cable network. DOCSIS 1.1 is interoperable with DOCSIS1.0, and has data rate and latency guarantees (VoIP), as well asimproved security compared to DOCSIS 1.0. DOCSIS 2.0 is interoperablewith 1.0 and 1.1, yet provides a wider upstream band (6.4 MHz), as wellas new modulation formats including TDMA and CDMA. It also providessymmetric services (30 Mbps upstream).

As used herein, the term “head-end” refers generally to a networkedsystem controlled by an operator (e.g., an MSO) that distributesprogramming to MSO clientele using client devices. Such programming mayinclude any information source/receiver including, inter glia,free-to-air TV channels, pay TV channels, interactive TV, and theInternet. DSTBs may take on any configuration, and can be retail devicesmeaning that consumers may or may not obtain their DSTBs from the MSOexclusively. Accordingly, it is anticipated that MSO networks may haveclient devices from multiple vendors, and these client devices will havewidely varying hardware capabilities. Multiple regional head-ends may bein the same or different cities.

As used herein, the term. “integrated circuit (IC)” refers to any typeof device having any level of integration (including without limitationULSI, VLSI, and LSI) and irrespective of process or base materials(including, without limitation Si, SiGe, CMOS and GaAs). ICs mayinclude, for example, memory devices (e.g., DRAM, SRAM, RDRAM,EEPROM/Flash, ROM), digital processors, SoC devices, FPGAs, ASICs, ADCs,DACs, transceivers, memory controllers, and other devices, as well asany combinations thereof.

As used herein, the terms “Internet” and “internet” are usedinterchangeably to refer to inter-networks including, withoutlimitation, the Internet.

As used herein, the terms “local” and “remote” refer generally todevices, entities, or users that are serviced by substantially differentcommunications channels. These terms are intended to be relative, andbear no physical or absolute reference or connotation as to theplacement of the communication channels or the served device, entitiesor users. For example, a “local” network may comprise the MSO cable orsatellite network, whereas a “remote” network may comprise the Internetor a LAN/WAN/MAN, the latter which may serve the very same premises.

As used herein, the term “memory” includes any type of integratedcircuit or other storage device adapted for storing digital dataincluding, without limitation, ROM. PROM, EEPROM, DRAM, SDRAM, DDR/2SDRAM, EDO/FPMS, RLDRAM, SRAM, “flash” memory (e.g., NAND/NOR), andPSRAM.

As used herein, the terms “microprocessor” and “digital processor” aremeant generally to include all types of digital processing devicesincluding, without limitation, digital signal processors (DSPs), reducedinstruction set computers (RISC), general-purpose (CISC) processors,microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs), PLDs, reconfigurable computefabrics (RCFs), array processors, and application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs). Such digital processors may be contained on a singleunitary IC die, or distributed across multiple components.

As used herein, the term “modem” refers to any kind of modulation ordemodulation process or apparatus including without limitation cable(e.g., DOCSIS compliant) modems, DSL modems, analog modems, and soforth.

As used herein, the terms “MSO” or “multiple system operator” refer to acable, satellite, or terrestrial network provider having infrastructurerequired to deliver services including programming and data over thosemediums.

As used herein, the terms “network” and “bearer network” refer generallyto any type of telecommunications or data network including, withoutlimitation, hybrid fiber coax (HFC) networks, satellite networks, telconetworks, and data networks (including MANs, WANs, LANs, WLANs,internets, and intranets). Such networks or portions thereof may utilizeany one or more different topologies (e.g., ring, bus, star, loop,etc.), transmission media (e.g., wired/RF cable, RF wireless, millimeterwave, optical, etc.) and/or communications or networking protocols(e.g., SONET, DOCSIS, IEEE Std. 802.3, ATM, X.25, Frame Relay, 3GPP,3GPP2, WAP, SIP, UDP, FTP, RTP/RTCP, TCP/IP, H.323, etc.),

As used herein, the term “network agent” refers to any network entity(whether software, firmware, and/or hardware based) adapted to performone or more specific purposes. For example, a network agent may comprisea computer program running in server belonging to a network operator,which is in communication with one or more processes on a CPE or otherdevice.

As used herein, the term “network interface” refers to any signal ordata interface with a component or network including, withoutlimitation, those of the Firewire (e.g., FW400, FW800, etc.), USB (e.g.,USB2), Ethernet (e.g., 10/100, 10/100/1000 (Gigabit Ethernet), 10-Gig-E,etc.), MoCA, Serial ATA (e.g., SATA, e-SATA, SATAII), Ultra-ATA/DMA,Coaxsys (e.g., TVnet™), radio frequency tuner (e.g., in-band or 00B,cable modem, etc.), modem, WiFi (802.11a,b,g,n), WiMAX (802.16), PAN(802.15), or IrDA families.

As used herein, the term “purchase” shall mean without limitation anysale, agreement for sale, transfer of funds, promise to transfer funds,barter arrangement, promotional or incentive agreement or arrangement,virtual ownership, subscription, or other relationship whereinconsideration of any kind is exchanged between two or more parties (ortheir proxies).

As used herein, the term “QAM” refers to modulation schemes used forsending signals over cable networks. Such modulation scheme might useany constellation level (e.g. QPSK, QAM-16, QAM-64, QAM-256 etc.)depending on details of a cable network. A QAM may also refer to aphysical channel modulated according to said schemes.

As used herein, the term “recording medium” refers to any material,component, collection of components or device adapted to storeinformation in a substantially permanent or semi-permanent state.Exemplars of recording media include, without limitation, magneticmedia, integrated circuits (e.g., RAM or ROM), optical media, chemicalmedia, and atomic- and subatomic-level storage structures (e.g.,crystalline structures, quantum or spin states, etc.).

As used herein, the term “server” refers to any computerized component,system or entity regardless of form which is adapted to provide data,files, applications, content, or other services to one or more otherdevices or entities on a computer network.

As used herein, the term “user interface” refers to, without limitation,any visual, graphical, tactile, audible, sensory, or other means ofproviding information to and/or receiving information from a user orother entity. A user interface may comprise, for example , a computerscreen display, touch screen, speech recognition engine, text-to-speech(TTS) algorithm, and so forth.

As used herein, the term “Wi-Fi” refers to, without limitation, any ofthe variants of IEEE-Std. 802.11 or related standards including 802.11a/b/g/n/v.

As used herein, the term “wireless” means any wireless signal, data,communication, or other interface including without limitation Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, 3G, LTE/LTE-A, HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA, CDMA (e.g., IS-95A, WCDMA,etc.), FHSS, DSSS, GSM, PAN/802.15, WiMAX (802.16), 802.20,narrowbancl/FDMA, OFDM, PCS/DCS, analog cellular, CDPD, satellitesystems, millimeter wave or microwave systems, acoustic, and infrared(i.e., IrDA).

Overview

In one salient aspect, improved apparatus and methods are provided to,inter alia, enable upload and storage of content over a network. In oneembodiment, content stored on a CPE is uploaded to server at thehead-end, as opposed to traditional network DVR functionality whichrecords content for subscribers at the head-end before it is received bythe CPE. The improved apparatus and methods disclosed herein may beuseful, for example, as one potential model for preserving the digitalrights of content owners.

In an exemplary embodiment, a CPE and/or server at the network head-endis configured with logic to manage content delivery, upload and storage.A user receives content from a content source (which may be the network,or yet another source), and automatically uploads the content to anetwork storage device, where a complete copy of the content is madeavailable for subsequent strearning/download to the user (or userdevices that are allowed access to the network storage device).

In addition, the system determines which content items have already beenuploaded/stored to the head-end so that an optimal number of copies arestored at the head-end and/or client device. Further, uploads may beprioritized in accordance with the copyright of individual contentitems.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and methods are now described indetail. While these exemplary embodiments are described in the contextof the aforementioned hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable architecture used inconjunction with e.g., a “secondary” communication channel or network,the general principles and advantages of the system may be extended toother types of networks and architectures where delivery of content isrequired or desirable, whether broadband, narrowband, wired or wireless,content or data, or otherwise, and irrespective of topology. Hence, thefollowing description is merely exemplary in nature.

It will also be appreciated that while described generally in thecontext of a network providing service to a consumer (i.e., home) enduser domain, the system may be readily adapted to other types ofenvironments including, e.g., commercial/enterprise, andgovernment/military applications. Myriad other applications arepossible.

It is further noted that while aspects are described primarily in thecontext of 6 MHz RF channels within the HFC network, anyfrequency/bandwidth, such as for example 8 MHz channels may beapplicable.

Furthermore, as referenced above, the system is in no way limited totraditional cable system frequencies (i.e., below 1 GHz), and in factmay be used with systems that operate above 1 GHz band in centerfrequency or bandwidth, to include without limitation so-calledultra-wideband (UWB) systems. For example, in one variant,high-bandwidth UWB signals imposed atop the traditional QAMs of thecable network are used to provide a high-speed data download capabilityfor the content to be utilized at the subscriber's premises (e.g.,applications or archived data).

Also, while certain aspects are described primarily in the context ofthe well-known Internet Protocol (described in, inter alia, RFC 791 and2460), it will be appreciated that other types of protocols (and in factbearer networks to include other internets and intranets) may be used toimplement the described functionality.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical generalized content delivery networkconfiguration with which the personal media delivery apparatus andmethods may be used. The various components of the network 100 include(i) one or more data and application origination points 102; (ii) one ormore content sources 103, (iii) one or more application distributionservers 104; (iv) one or more VOD servers 105, and (v) consumer premisesequipment (CPE) 106. The distribution server(s) 104, VOD servers 105 andCPE(s) 106 are connected via a bearer (e.g., HFC) network 101. A simplearchitecture comprising one of each of the aforementioned components102, 104, 105, 106 is shown in FIG. 1 for simplicity, although it willbe recognized that comparable architectures with multiple originationpoints, distribution servers, VOD servers, and/or CPE devices (as wellas different network topologies) may be utilized. For example, thehead-end architecture of FIG. 1a (described in greater detail below) maybe used.

The data/application origination point 102 comprises any medium thatallows data and/or applications (such as a VOD-based application, gamingapplication, or “Watch TV” application) to be transferred to adistribution server 104. This can include for example a third party datasource, application vendor website, CD-ROM, external network interface,mass storage device (e.g., RAID system), etc. Such transference may beautomatic, initiated upon the occurrence of one or more specified events(such as the receipt of a request packet or ACK), performed manually, oraccomplished in any number of other modes readily recognized by those ofordinary skill.

The application distribution server 104 comprises a computer systemwhere such applications can enter the network system. Distributionservers are well known in the networking arts, and accordingly notdescribed further herein.

The VOD server 105 comprises a computer system where on-demand contentcan be received from one or more of the aforementioned data sources 102and enter the network system. These servers may generate the contentlocally, or alternatively act as a gateway or intermediary from adistant source.

Referring now to FIG. 1a , one exemplary embodiment of a head-endarchitecture is described. As shown in FIG. 1a , the head-endarchitecture 150 comprises typical head-end components and servicesincluding billing module 152, subscriber management system (SMS) and CPEconfiguration management module 154, cable-modem termination system(CMTS) and OOB system 156, as well as LAN(s) 158, 160 placing thevarious components in data communication with one another. It will beappreciated that while a bar or bus LAN topology is illustrated, anynumber of other arrangements as previously referenced (e.g., ring, star,etc.) may be used. It will also be appreciated that the head-endconfiguration depicted in FIG. 1a is high-level, conceptual architectureand that each MSO may have multiple head-ends deployed using customarchitectures.

The architecture 150 of FIG. 1a further includes amultiplexer/encrypter/modulator (MEM) 162 coupled to the HFC network 101adapted to “condition” content for transmission over the network. Thedistribution servers 104 are coupled to the LAN 160, which providesaccess to the MEM 162 and network 101 via one or more file servers 170.The VOD servers 105 are coupled to the LAN 160 as well, although otherarchitectures may be employed (such as for example where the VOD serversare associated with a core switching device such as an 802.3z GigabitEthernet device). As previously described, information is carried acrossmultiple channels. Thus, the head-end must be adapted to acquire theinformation for the carried channels from various sources. Typically,the channels being delivered from the head-end 150 to the CPE 106(“downstream”) are multiplexed together in the head-end and sent toneighborhood hubs (FIG. 1b ) via a variety of interposed networkcomponents.

Content (e.g., audio, video, etc.) is provided in each downstream(in-band) channel associated with the relevant service group. Tocommunicate with the head-end or intermediary node (e.g., hub server),the CPE 106 may use the out-of-band (OOB) or DOCSIS channels andassociated protocols. The OCAP 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 (and subsequent)specification provides for exemplary networking protocols bothdownstream and upstream, although the system is in no way limited tothese approaches.

It will also be recognized that the multiple servers (broadcast, VOD, orotherwise) can be used, and disposed at two or more different locationsif desired, such as being part of different server “farms”. Thesemultiple servers can be used to feed one service group, or alternativelydifferent service groups. In a simple architecture, a single server isused to feed one or more service groups. In another variant, multipleservers located at the same location are used to feed one or moreservice groups. In yet another variant, multiple servers disposed atdifferent location are used to feed one or more service groups.

As shown in FIG. 1b , the network 101 of FIGS. 1 and 1 a comprises afiber/coax arrangement wherein the output of the MEM 162 of FIG. 1a istransferred to the optical domain (such as via an optical transceiver177 at the head-end or further downstream). The optical domain signalsare then distributed to a fiber node 178, which further distributes thesignals over a distribution network 180 to a plurality of localservicing nodes 182. This provides an effective 1:N expansion of thenetwork at the local service end.

“Switched” Networks—

FIG. 1c illustrates an exemplary “switched” network architecture. Whilea so-called “broadcast switched architecture” or BSA network isillustrated in this exemplary embodiment, it will be recognized that thesystem is in no way limited to such architectures.

Switching architectures allow improved efficiency of bandwidth use forordinary digital broadcast programs. Ideally, the subscriber will beunaware of any difference between programs delivered using a switchednetwork and ordinary streaming broadcast delivery.

FIG. 1c shows the implementation details of one exemplary embodiment ofthis broadcast switched network architecture. Specifically, the head-end150 contains switched broadcast control and media path functions 190,192; these element cooperating to control and feed, respectively,downstream or edge switching devices 194 at the hub site which are usedto selectively switch broadcast streams to various service groups. A BSAserver 196 is also disposed at the hub site, and implements functionsrelated to switching and bandwidth conservation (in conjunction with amanagement entity 198 disposed at the head-end). An optical transportring 197 is utilized to distribute the dense wave-division multiplexed(D WDM) optical signals to each hub in an efficient fashion.

Co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/956,688filed Sep. 20, 2001 and entitled “TECHNIQUE FOR EFFECTIVELY PROVIDINGPROGRAM MATERIAL IN A CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM”, incorporated herein byreference in its entirety, describes one exemplary broadcast switcheddigital architecture, although it will be recognized by those ofordinary skill that other approaches and architectures may besubstituted.

In addition to “broadcast” content (e.g., video programming), thesystems of FIGS. 1a-1c (and FIG. 1d discussed below) can also deliverInternet data services using the Internet protocol (IP), although otherprotocols and transport mechanisms of the type well known in the digitalcommunication art may be substituted. One exemplary delivery paradigmcomprises delivering MPEG-based video content (e.g., “IPTV” or thelike), with the video transported to user PCs (or IP-based STBs) overthe aforementioned DOCSIS channels comprising MPEG (or other video codecsuch as H.264 or AVC) over IP over MPEG. That is, the higher layerMPEG—or other encoded content is encapsulated using an IP protocol,which then utilizes an MPEG packetization of the type well known in theart for delivery over the RF channels. In this fashion, a paralleldelivery mode to the normal broadcast delivery exists; i.e., delivery ofvideo content both over traditional downstream QAMs to the tuner of theuser's STB or other receiver device for viewing on the television, andalso as packetized IP data over the DOCSIS QAMs to the user's PC orother IP-enabled device via the user's cable modem.

Referring again to FIG. 1c , the IP packets associated with Internetservices are received by edge switch 194, and forwarded to the cablemodem termination system (CMTS) 199. The CMTS examines the packets, andforwards packets intended for the local network to the edge switch 194.Other packets are discarded or routed to another component.

The edge switch 194 forwards the packets receive from the CMTS 199 tothe QAM modulator, which transmits the packets on one or more physical(QAM-modulated RF) channels to the CPEs. The IP packets are typicallytransmitted on RF channels that are different that the RF channels usedfor the broadcast video and audio programming, although this is not arequirement. The CPE 106 are each configured to monitor the particularassigned RF channel (such as via a port or socket ID/address, or othersuch mechanism) for IP packets intended for the subscriberpremises/address that they serve.

It will be appreciated that while the exemplary embodiments presentedherein are described in the context of Internet services that includemulticast and unicast data (e.g., using an Internet Protocol (IP)networking protocol over one or more transports), other types ofservices that include multicast transmission of data delivered over anetwork having multiple physical channels or even virtual or logicalchannels may be used. For example, switching between various physicalchannels that comprise a virtual channel, can itself be conductedaccording to the “switched” approach. As a simple illustration, if afirst virtual channel is comprised of physical channels (e.g., QAMs) A,B and D, and a second virtual channel is comprised of QAMs C, E and F, aCM or other CPE can be configured to switch between the A/B/D and C/E/Fvirtual channels as if they were a single QAM.

“Packetized” Networks—

While the foregoing network architectures described herein can (and infact do) carry packetized content (e.g., IP over MPEG for high-speeddata or Internet TV, MPEG2 packet content over QAM for MPTS, etc.), theyare often not optimized for such delivery. Hence, in accordance withanother embodiment, a “packet optimized” delivery network is used forcarriage of the packet content (e.g., IPTV content). FIG. 1d illustratesone exemplary implementation of such a network, in the context of a 3GPPIMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) network with common control plane andservice delivery platform (SDP), as described in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/256,903 filed Oct. 30, 2009 and entitled“METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PACKETIZED CONTENT DELIVERY OVER A CONTENTDELIVERY NETWORK”, which is now published as U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2011/0103374 of the same title filed on Apr. 21, 2010,each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Sucha network provides, inter alia, significant enhancements in terms ofcommon control of different services, implementation and management ofcontent delivery sessions according to unicast or multicast models,etc.; however, it is appreciated that the various features of thepresent disclosure are in no way limited to this or any of the otherforegoing architectures.

System Architecture—

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment ofthe content distribution system architecture 200 according to thedisclosure. It will be appreciated that this generalized architecturemay be readily integrated into the existing architecture of a cabletelevision network (such as those shown in FIGS. 1-1 d), oralternatively used in conjunction with other types of networks (e.g.,satellite networks, DSL networks, optical fiber networks, terrestrialwireless networks, hybrid fiber copper (HFCu) networks, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 2, the exemplary embodiment of the system architecture200 generally comprises one or more servers 208 (e.g., VOD or broadcastservers) associated with one or more local storage devices 212, one ormore network storage devices 214, one or more content sources 216, andone or more CPEs 202 and/or client devices 206.

As shown in FIG. 2, the head-end receives content from a source (such asa web server, studio, etc.) and processes the content into a formatcompatible with the MSO network. For example, processing may comprise(without limitation): (i) decryption; (ii) authentication of the contentsource (to prevent, e.g., “spoof” attacks or providing false orsurreptitious content); (iii) virus or other mal-ware screening; (iv)encoding, decoding, or transcoding; (v) protocol translation orencapsulation; (vi) “upconversion” or “downconversion” of resolution,and/or (vii) filtration, error correction, or other conditioning of thecontent. Metadata or other such ancillary data may also be appended toor associated with the ingested content, as described in greater detailsubsequently herein.

A client-server software architecture is employed in the exemplaryembodiment to provide content management. The software may be employedeither wholly or partially on the server-side, such as via a servercontent management process 210 (SCM). Additionally, the software may beemployed either wholly or partially on the client side (e.g., as aclient content management process 204 (CCM)). Each of the SCM 210 or CCM204 may be physically and/or logically integrated into one device orprocess, or maintained as separate devices/processes even located atdisparate locations, as described further below. Alternatively, thefunction may be implemented in a distributed manner where one or morefunctional aspects are implemented on multiple platforms.

In one embodiment, an object-oriented distributed application (DA) ofthe type well known in the art resides on the server portion of the DA,which in the illustrated embodiment can also function as the servercontent manager (SCM) 210, and is disposed at the head-end 150 of thenetwork (such as on a VOD server or BSA manager 198). The clientportion(s) 204 of the DA are disposed at a client device 202 or remoteclient device 206.

The content source 216 is also in communication with the server contentmanagement process 210, so that inter alia the content source cancoordinate transfer of purchased or otherwise obtained content (orcontent prior to purchase) to the MSO network (e.g., local storage 212and/or virtual storage 214), for supply to the CPE 202. The CPE 202 ofthe exemplary embodiment can communicate with the server 208 via anynumber of different channels including, e.g., an OOB upstream channel;in-band upstream channel allocated for this purpose, or a TCP/IP DOCSISchannel.

In one embodiment, the SCM 210 acts as the overall logical control orsupervisory process for delivering content to subscribers. In thisregard, the SCM 210 acts as somewhat of an overlay onto existing logicaland physical processes occurring within the network including, e.g.,authentication of subscribers, instantiation of VOD sessions, switchingof BSA hubs to deliver content to various subscribers, multicast/unicastIP generation and delivery, etc.

In another embodiment, the CPE 202 communicates with the MSO network viaa DOCSIS modem or other such interface, which then relays thecommunication to an external network (e.g., Internet), which in turnpasses the communication to the content source server 218. For example,the user's PC or Wi-Fi connected laptop or tablet at their premises canaccess the content source website using e.g., the device's browser andTCP/IP protocols, via the indigenous DOCSIS modem, or yet anotherupstream channel (such as a WiMAX reverse channel, or LTE cellular datainterface). In the illustrated example, the CPE 202 and the contentsource 218 act substantially as peers, and the interposed networksproviding physical media and routing functions, although it will beappreciated that other approaches may be used (e.g., such as whereprocessing, reformatting or encapsulation, security wrappers, etc. areapplied to the packets issued by the client device by the intermediatenetworks, routers, and gateways).

After the content source 218 receives the communications (eitherdirectly or indirectly) from the CPE 202, it then communicates with theMSO server 208 as previously described. The CPE 202 then subsequentlycommunicates with the server 208, requesting e.g., delivery such asstreaming or broadcast of the purchased content. The MSO server portion(or its proxy) then streams or broadcasts the content to the requestingdevice, or a designated target client device (e.g., one associated witha network or client device on or off the premises, such as a Wi-Fienabled mobile device).

Content is transmitted to the requesting purchaser's CPE 202 or clientdevice 206, such as via a session between the content server and the CPE202 (e.g. VOD) that transmits the content over one or more in-banddownstream QAMs. Alternatively, delivery may occur via a broadcast(e.g., BSA) mode, an IPTV (e.g., MPEG over IP) mode, unicast/multicast,via satellite link, or any other mode having suitable bandwidth andquality of service (QoS).

Delivery may also occur to remote or visited networks; e.g., to clientdevices that are outside the MSO or “local” delivery network. Co-ownedand co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/440,490 filed May 24,2006 entitled “PERSONAL CONTENT SERVER APPARATUS AND METHODS”,previously incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, disclosesexemplary apparatus and methods for delivery of content to remote clientdevices and networks, although it will be recognized that otherapparatus and techniques may be used for this purpose.

In one embodiment, the disclosed system 200 also advantageously providesfor upload (such as a substantially automatic upload) of content to aserver, storage device, or other network entity from a CPE 202 or otherclient device 206. This upload functionality of the system may serve asone potential model for preserving copyrights associated with deliveredcontent. Specifically, by downloading the content to a particular user's(or group of user's) CPE, and then uploading the downloaded content inat least a substantially similar fowl, the receiving user or usershas/have become the “owner” of the physical rendering of the content(contrast: copyright in the content) and any rights associated with thatrendering (such as rights to perform, reproduce a copy for archivalpurposes, etc.), and hence what is uploaded back to the network can infact be considered an “archival” or space-shifted copy of the contentthey already own. Note that in one implementation of the system 200 ofFIG. 2, the content that is received by the CPE or other client 206 isstored on the receiving device in a substantially permanent form (ascontrasted with purely ephemeral or transient storage), and then alsotransmitted upstream to e.g., the network server or storage device forstorage thereon, in effect creating two separate versions of the contentoriginally delivered to the CPE. Alternatively, the content received atthe CPE/client 206 may simply be ephemerally stored or buffered (e.g.,temporarily, while it is processed for upload), and then maintained onlyat the receiving network-side device, the ephemeral version beingdeleted. Under the first model, the user can advantageously access thelocal (CPE) version under most all circumstances, such as when nonetwork connection is active. Likewise, the CPE 202 can act as a localcontent “server” of sorts for other clients or mobile devices in datacommunication with the receiving/storing CPE 202. However, the localcontent consumes significant storage space, and must then be managedwith respect to reproduction, distribution, etc. Under the second “cloudbased” model, user storage is obviated in favor of e.g., a streamingdelivery, but this is obviously subject to networkdelivery/capabilities, and consumes downstream bandwidth within thenetwork. Combinations or permutations of the foregoing are alsoenvisaged, such as where a “local” copy is only accessible when thenetwork or cloud copy is inaccessible, the network is experiencingdownstream bandwidth constraints, a connected client at the CPE premisesis requesting the content (and has no direct network access), etc.

In various implementations, the CPE 202 may be configured toautomatically upload received content to a designated network storagedevice. Alternatively, SCM 210 on the server 208 may be configured toautomatically initiate a content upload process (e.g., a content “pull”)for content that has been delivered to a CPE 202 or client device 206.

The uploaded content can be subsequently downloaded such as via VOD,unicast/multicast to eligible subscribers, as a binary image or file, orother mechanism. For example, a user can upload content to a server fordownload/VOD access by others who have authorized access to thecontent-based network (perhaps other family members or friends), sothese other persons can watch the uploaded content on their CPE or otherdesired platform, while preserving the digital rights associated withsuch content.

Network Upload and Storage—

In one embodiment, virtual storage devices 214 are maintained forsubscribers of the aforementioned networks (or other designated users),thereby giving client devices storage space that they could nototherwise have using their existing equipment. This can be used for anynumber of different reasons, such as: (i) to archive or back-up data,(ii) to permit access to a data volume by multiple MSO subscribers,(iii) to maintain the security of the data (i.e., when no local copy ispresent at the subscriber's premises, theft of their computer from thepremises is much less troubling), or (iv) to provide the subscriber withstorage volume that they could otherwise not obtain. It is alsoenvisioned that the network storage devices 214 within the system can beused as one potential model for preserving the copyright interests ofcontent owners.

The server 208 of FIG. 2 may further comprise or be associated with astorage entity which acts as a network digital video recorder (nDVR) forthe CPE 202. In one embodiment, the network DVR may be of the typediscussed in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/440,490 entitled “PERSONAL CONTENT SERVER APPARATUS AND METHODS” andfiled on May 24, 2006, previously incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

While illustrated generally as a plurality of substantially localcomponents, the architecture of FIG. 2 can have one or more components(such as e.g., storage devices 212 or 214) disposed at a remotelocation. In one variant, either local storage device 212 or networkstorage device 214 may be co-located and co-managed by a content source(e.g., studio) or third party. In one variant, requests to accesscontent are processed by the MSO but serviced by content from one ormore third party databases (e.g., the databases of studios or othercontent source can collectively act as the MSO's “virtual library”).Such servicing of content requests can be effectively real-time, withany encoding, annotation, inclusion of metadata, etc. performedessentially on-the-fly (“just in time” processing) if desired.

It may be desirable under certain circumstances (e.g., for certainbusiness models, in order to address security or legal/copyright issues,etc.) to provide the user with some degree of “ownership” or control ofthe MSO network facilities, whether on a short-term or long-term basis.As such, the user or subscriber may: (i) lease or even own equipmentwithin the network operator's infrastructure or facilities; and/or (ii)extend a virtual control boundary around one or more components orportions of the network operator's equipment or infrastructure.

In one variant, the user or subscriber leases or purchases storage spaceand/or playback functionality from the MSO. Such lease or purchase maybe for a period of time (or number of uses, etc.), or even permanent ifdesired. To this end, the MSO or other network operator may utilize ahighly modular architecture, such that the operations of the leasedspace/equipment for respective subscribers are largely or completelyseparated from one another. The MSO maintains the leased/owned equipment(including physical security thereof), and operates the equipment at thebehest of the owner. For example, the MSO would determine theconfiguration of the device, perform software upgrades, periodicmaintenance, control encryption/decryption of the stored content,regulate access thereto, etc.

In another variant, a virtual control boundary is further constructedaround the subscriber's leased or purchased equipment, thereby allowingthem to be in direct control of all aspects of the operation and accessof their equipment. For example, one embodiment employs a softwareapplication disposed at the client premises (e.g., on their CPE 202)which communicates with a corresponding application or portion at theMSO node (e.g., head-end 150) that controls the operation of theleased/purchased equipment. In this sense, the MSO's equipment is in avery real sense in the possession and under the control of thesubscriber, albeit being physically located at a place remote from thesubscriber's premises (e.g., the head-end of the cable network). Inanother variant, these storage and recording/playback apparatus aredisposed at a local hub site or other node even more physicallyproximate to the user's premises.

In another embodiment, the virtual control boundary may be constructedaround a group of subscribers or be determined pursuant todeterminations made by the server content management process 210. Whilenetwork storage space is allocated to individual subscribers, othersubscribers or the network operator may be able to access, retrieveand/or upload content pursuant to various business models. For example,in response to a request for a content item from a first subscriber, theMSO may access/retrieve that content item stored on the network storageof the second subscriber. This may prove useful in situations where alocal copy of the content item is not easily available to the headend orfor the purposes of saving storage space when the same or similarcontent item (i.e., same title, same personalizations, same encodingetc.) exists on the network storage. Alternatively, the MSO may grantaccess to the first subscriber to access or download content stored onthe second subscriber's network storage space. Granted access may belimited to specific content (i.e., the content item that was requested)or limited in duration.

In one variant, subscribers may be grouped according to commoncharacteristics and allowed varying levels of access to othersubscribers' network storage space within the same group. For example,subscribers could be grouped according to subscription type, geographiclocation, node location, or similarities in requested content.Subscribers belonging to the group may access/retrieve content that isstored on the network storage space of other group member's networkstorage space or network storage space that is specifically allocatedfor the group.

It will be appreciated that various business models may also beconstructed around such “virtual possession” schemes, including forexample where the user or subscriber can themselves specify or configurethe equipment that they lease or own, much like one currently configuresa PC or laptop from a manufacturer at time of purchase. A user can alsobe provided with the capability of changing or upgrading theirequipment, such as for more storage space, different codecs, networkinterfaces, conditional access, encryption/authentication schemes,indigenous processing or signal conditioning capability, etc.

The network storage device 214 may store content and/or the operatingsystem of the subscriber's CPE 202. In one variant, the CPE 202operating system may reside entirely off-device, including at the MSOhead-end or other such location if desired. Moreover, the data volumesfor each subscriber may be encrypted, authenticated, and made physicallysecure, thereby providing a level of protection that exceeds that of thenormal home PC, PMD, or the like.

The virtual storage device 214 can also be made part of a businessparadigm; e.g., wherein the user pays a fee (such as on a per-Tb used)or subscribes for X terabytes of storage space for a given period oftime.

In one embodiment, the virtual storage device 214 provides storage spacefor MSO subscribers to upload content to the server 208 or other networkentity. The uploaded content can then be accessed, downloaded and/orstreamed by a linked subscriber.

In one embodiment, the uploaded content comprises user-generatedcontent. For example, using a cellular phone or tablet camera,microphone, etc., user can stream video up to the VOD server fordownload/VOD access by others who have authorized access to thecontent-based network (perhaps other family members or friends), sothese other persons can watch the uploaded content on their clientdevice or other desired platform (e.g., PC).

It will also be appreciated that uploaded (e.g., copyright-protected)content may be shared across multiple unrelated “eligible” users of thenetwork. For example, suppose CPEs A, B, and C (each associated withdifferent subscribers at different premises) all download content fromthe network, such as via respective VOD purchases. Under oneimplementation, the downloaded content is uploaded by each of the users(e.g., automatically, as described elsewhere herein) to a networkstorage location. The storage “location” may comprise a common storagearea or server (e.g., all three users utilize the same storage), orthree (separate) storage areas for each of the users. Hence, any numberof logical and/or physical storage partitioning schemes may be utilizedconsistent with the present disclosure. In one paradigm, all three usersin this example maintain separate, independent storage and accessthereto. Alternatively, the users may employ a common storage/accessapproach, such as where each of the users can access a common copy ofthe content (assuming it is identical). This latter approach economizeson storage requirements in the cloud, since only one copy need bemaintained (versus three) in this example. Moreover, upstream bandwidthrequirements/latency can in some cases be reduced, since all threecopies in the foregoing example need not be uploaded (assuming identicalcontent), but rather only one. Hence, in one variant, the architecture200 of FIG. 2 is configured such that it includes logic which identifiessuch commonalities (especially those occurring within a prescribedtemporal window), and leverages them to obviate consumption of upstreambandwidth or undue latency for the users. For instance, where the CPE A,B and C of the prior example all request download of content element Xwithin a few minutes of each other, the first downloading device (say,CPE B) initiates its upload first, and the remaining CPE A and C are ineffect “waived off” by the network content management process 210 (orother entity) from having to upload their delivered content as well,such as via downstream in-band or OOB message or other signaling.

Likewise, a single cloud-based copy of the content can be logically“interlocked” between two or more users (such as by logic within themanagement process 210) such that if the content is being accessed byone eligible user, it cannot be accessed by another until the first hascompleted.

Moreover, where the demand for the content from the network-side storageelement will not be immediate, upstream assets can further be optimizedthrough “opportunistic” use of these assets; e.g., a “trickle” and/or“bursty” delivery upstream as time/resources permit. It is alsoenvisaged that different portions of the content may be uploaded fromdifferent CPE, so as to in effect cobble together one complete versionor copy from multiple sources.

Network Server and Content Management—

Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the improved network contentserver 208 adapted for content delivery and upload according to thedisclosure is described. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 208 generallycomprises a network server module adapted for interface with thenetworks of FIG. 2, digital processor(s) 304, RAM 306, a mass storagedevice 308, and a plurality of interfaces 307 for use with other networkapparatus such as LANs, routers, and other packet network devices,network management and provisioning systems, local PCs, etc. Othercomponents which may be utilized within the server include amplifiers,board level electronic components, as well as media processors and otherspecialized SoC or ASIC devices. Support for various processing layersand protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, 802.3, DHCP, SNMP, H.323/RTP/RTCP, VoIP,SIP, LSCP, etc.) may also be provided as required. Where the contentserver is also acting in a local network capacity (e.g., as a VOD orapplication server), an appropriate application is also disposed to runon the server to provide a functional interface for e.g., VOD sessionrequests received from the client device or other interposed entities.These additional components and functionalities are well known to thoseof ordinary skill in the cable and embedded system fields, andaccordingly not described further herein.

As previously discussed, the server 208 also may run the server contentmanagement process 210 (SCM). The SCM 210 may be integrated into theserver portion of a distributed application process, or alternativelycomprise a discrete or stand-alone module having inter-processcommunication with the server portions (or portions where multiplecontent servers and server portions are used in conjunction with the SCM210).

In one variant, the SCM 210 may determine whether the content waspreviously requested and/or stored on the subscriber's CPE 202 attachedto the local (cable) network. This information is gathered by eitherquerying the CPE 202, or by querying a process at the head-end for theprogram titles stored by or on the CPE 202. In one embodiment, inresponse to a determination that content has been stored or partiallystored on a CPE 202, the SCM 210 may initiate an upload process.

The SCM 210 may also be configured to facilitate reception of uploadedcontent to the server 208 or other designated host/storage entity. Inone variant, uploaded content is received at the network storage device214 previously described herein. Uploaded content may be stored andorganized for example according to metadata associated with the content,or other approach. Metadata information may for instance includedescription of the content (e.g., title, genre, subject, file type) ordetails about the data (e.g., size, last updated, source).

In other variants, uploaded content is stored and organized according topredefined rules set by content owners, network operators, users, or acombination thereof. For example, it may be useful for the MSO to indexthe stored content according to one scheme or rule set (e.g., thatminimizes access time, required storage volume, or addresses otherparameters), while the user may obtain the best user experience or easeof use through a different organizational scheme. Additionally, contentmay be stored and organized according to a CPE identifier and/or useridentifier that the SCM 210 can cross-reference and use to direct thestorage of data. The SCM process 210 may also include options for theconfiguration of the display and storage of the uploaded content.

The server device 208 of FIG. 4 may take any number of physical forms,comprising for example one of a plurality of discrete modules or cardswithin a larger network head-end or edge device of the type well knownin the art. The server may also comprise firmware, either alone or incombination with other hardware/software components such as thosepreviously described (e.g., disposed in the aforementioned edge device).Alternatively, the server module 208 may be a stand-alone devicedisposed at the head end or other location (such as a VOD server 105 orapplication server 104), and may even include its own RF front end(e.g., modulators, encryptors, etc.) or optical interface so as tointerface directly with various portions of the HFC network 101 ifdesired. Numerous other configurations may be used with anyconfiguration or combination of hardware, firmware, or software, and maybe disposed within one or any number of different physical or logicalentities.

CPE Architecture and Operation—

FIG. 4 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of the improved CPE 202with content selection, download, and upload capability.

In the case of HFC or satellite networks, the CPE 202 in one embodimentcomprises a client device in the form of a set-top box with a tunerstage or front end adapted for interface with the relevant physicalmedium (e.g., connected to the coaxial cable, or a satellite antenna).The CPE 202 may or may not include DVR/PVR functionality. Also, the CPE202 may not be a physically separate or stand-alone piece of equipment,but be integrated into another device, such as in the case of acable-ready television set. It will be recognized by those of ordinaryskill that myriad different device and software architectures may beused consistent with the content selection, download, and uploadfunctionality, the device of FIG. 4 being merely exemplary.

As shown in FIG. 4, the CPE 202 generally comprises anOpenCable-compliant embedded system (e.g., DSTB) having an RF front end402 (including tuner and demodulator/decryptors) for interface with theHFC network, digital processor(s) 404, mass storage device 406, and aplurality of interfaces 408 (e.g., video/audio interfaces, IEEE-1394“FireWire”, USB, serial/parallel ports, ThunderBolt, Ethernet, MoCA,etc.) for interface with other end-user apparatus such as televisions,personal electronics, computers, Wi-Fi or other network hubs/routers,etc. Although various protocol are illustrated in FIG. 4, it isappreciated that the CPE 202 of the present disclosure may be configuredto communicate over any current and future wireline protocols. Othercomponents which may be utilized within the device (deleted from FIG. 4for simplicity) various processing layers (e.g., DOCSIS MAC or DAVIC OOBchannel, MPEG, etc.) as well as media processors and other specializedSoC or ASIC devices. The CPE 202 may also comprise an integrated HDdecoder, thereby relieving any connected monitors or other devices fromthe requirement of having such a decoder. These additional componentsand functionality are well known to those of ordinary skill in the cableand embedded system fields, and accordingly not described furtherherein.

The CPE 202 of FIG. 4 is also provided with an OCAP-compliantapplication and Java-based middleware which, inter glia, manages theoperation of the device and applications running thereon. Differentdevice and software architectures may be used consistent with the tuningand channel request functions, for example, different middlewares (e.g.,MHP, ARIB, or ACAP) may be used in place of the OCAP middleware of theillustrated embodiment.

As part of the application layer of the CPE 202 protocol stack (notshown), various different types of client applications may beoperational. In one embodiment, a separate (dedicated) clientapplication adapted for content selection, browsing, download, andupload may be used to interface with the lower layers of the stack. Thismay include, e.g., a separate GUI or other type of UI, and may operatesubstantially independent of other applications on the CPE 106.Alternatively, the selection, download, and upload functionalitydescribed herein may be integrated into one or more existing ordownloadable applications (such as a VOD application, “Watch TV”application, navigator, TV-commerce application, or even EPG). Theapplication (and even session) layer protocols necessary to control thecontent selection, download, and upload functionality may even bedisposed on another device (e.g., PDA or cellular smartphone) aspreviously described in order to instigate the browsing, selection,purchase, download/streaming, and upload of content.

In another embodiment, the client application can function in responseto signals or communications provided by a device in communication withthe CPE 202. For example, the CPE 202 may comprise a wireless interface(e.g., 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth, 802.15 PAN, 802.16 WiMAX, 802.20,etc.) such that it can service content selection, payment,download/streaming, and upload requests from client devices of the CPE202 itself. In one such variant, the client device comprises a tablet,smartphone, PDA, gaming console, or similar handheld device that has adistributed portion of the client application running thereon. Thisapplication may be stand-alone or integrated with another application.Hence, users operating the distributed client application on thetablet/smartphone/PDA will utilize their wireless interface to the CPE202 in order to remotely instigate a content download or upload from thenetwork via the CPE, the latter in effect acting as a gateway to thecontent distribution network. The wireless forward channel(s) of theinterface (e.g., CPE to PDA) can be used to transmit the content afterprocessing (e.g., decoding) by the CPE, or even stream the “raw”unprocessed content (or even the received and demultiplexed MPEG encodedpackets) to other client devices and/or network storage.

The exemplary client device 202 further comprises a personal content ormedia application, which allows a user to manage his/her personalcontent. Such management includes, but is not limited to, the ability tobrowse through content stored to see which are available for viewing,select content for local viewing, and configure various parametersassociated with the upload of content. As previously described, thecontent available for viewing may be stored locally, or alternativelymay be stored remotely, such as at the head-end, BSA hub, or even athird party content source.

The personal content application is also responsive to a network-sideapplication (e.g., server portion of a DA) that queries the clientdevice 202 to check on the content titles stored on the client device202 (when a local storage model is used), and upload data relatedthereto.

In one implementation, the client program resident on the CPE 202 tracksand reports user activity related to personal content viewing to therelevant server(s) for each client device. This activity tracking isuseful from a number of perspectives, including: (i) determining whencontent is stored or uploaded to a network storage device; (ii)determining when programs are added or deleted from the local storage(e.g., subscriber's DVR); and (iii) for billing purposes. This trackingcan also be performed in a substantially anonymous fashion, such asthrough use of cryptographic hashes of TUNER ID, MAC, and similarvariables as described in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/186,452 filed on Jul. 20, 2005 and entitled “METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR BOUNDARY-BASED NETWORK OPERATION”, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. Such mechanisms allow for specificidentification of the CPE 202 which has recorded or accessed content,without necessarily having to know the subscriber's identity.

Furthermore, an application on the CPE 202 can be made to be responsiveto the user's commands to control the DVR from the remote or visitednetwork. Such a logical connection from the remote network to the LCDcan be implemented using any number of different approaches, includingdirect communications between the CPE 202 and the remote client device206 (e.g., via Internet), relayed communications that pass through theMSO (local) infrastructure and so forth. Allowing the subscriber to setup such a connection provides a remote management interface to managingthe CPE 202 to perform personal media related functions, among others,thereby adding significant flexibility to the operation and utilizationof the remote content access functionality.

As previously discussed, content can be uploaded to the MSO or thirdparty network storage device, and subsequently downloaded/streamed andviewed at the subscriber's premises (or those of other subscribersauthorized to view the content). Such download may also be to a secondappropriately equipped remote client device 206. Content may be uploadedon an upstream channel of the cable network, or through another networksuch as through a cell network (e.g., LTE/LTE-A) or 802.16 wireless, orvia a broadband Internet connection (such as e.g., optical fiber,wireless, or other mechanism.

In one embodiment, the upload functionality may be automatic orotherwise completely transparent to the end user, such as where anapplication running on the CPE 202 (or an associated device) (i)initiates a session if not already established, (ii) uploads the data,including any necessary error correction and/or retransmission, and(iii) manages termination of the session. The upload may comprise anyform of transmission, such as binary image, streamed, one or more files,etc.

Individualized Content Channel Variants

In one aspect, the foregoing techniques of local receipt (and optionalstorage) and upload back to the network or other entity may be combinedwith personalized virtual or other content channel approaches to, interalia, leverage data relating to user behavior on a per-user basis. Seefor example co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/414,554 filed Mar. 30, 2009 entitled “PERSONAL MEDIA CHANNELAPPARATUS AND METHODS” which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety, which discloses among other things, methods and apparatus for“fused” targeted content delivery in a content-based network.Specifically, a substantially user-friendly mechanism for viewingcontent compiled from various sources is provided, including, interalia, DVR, broadcast, VOD, Start Over, etc. Content selected to alignwith a user's preferences is displayed as a substantially continuousstream as part of a “virtual” user-based channel. In one embodiment, auser profile is constructed and targeted content gathered withoutrequiring any user intervention whatsoever; e.g., based on a user's pastor contemporaneous interactions with respect to particular types ofcontent. This information can be generated by, for example, arecommendation “engine” such as that described in co-owned andco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/414,576 filed Mar. 30,2009 entitled “RECOMMENDATION ENGINE APPARATUS AND METHODS” which isalso incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The “virtualchannel” acts as a centralized interface for the user and their contentselections and preferences, as if the content relevant to a given userwere in fact streamed over one program channel. The compiled content mayalso presented to the user in the form of a “playlist” from which a usermay select desired content for viewing and/or recording. The user isable to navigate between on-demand content, the virtual channel, an EPG,a search tool, and a DVR navigation tool from a single user interface(e.g., on-screen display).

In another aspect, client applications (e.g., those disposed on asubscriber's CPE and/or network servers) are utilized to compile theplaylist based on user-imputed as well as pre-programmed user profiles.Various feedback mechanisms may also be utilized to enable the clientapplication to “learn” from the user's activities in order to update theuser profile and generate more finely-tuned and cogent recommendations.Client applications may also be utilized to manage the seamlesspresentation of content on the virtual channel, and locate/flag variousscenes inside selected content for user viewing or editing.

Hence, in one variant, logic is included within the CPE and/or networkcontent management entity (e.g., SCM 210) such that the items which areselected to populate the user's virtual channel are selectivelydownloaded (and then uploaded back to the network for storage), so as topopulate the storage entity of the network associated with that userwith content that has been particularly selected for that user/premises.When a user selects something outside of the recommended content, thelogic is configured in one embodiment to cause download and upload ofthat content onto the storage entity, so as to update the storage on arolling basis.

Method of Uploading—

FIG. 5 shows one exemplary embodiment of the generalized method ofdelivering, uploading, and storing content over a network as described.It will be appreciated that while the following embodiment is describedprimarily in terms of an on-demand (OD) “session” based model deliveringcontent over an in-band channel, the system is equally adapted to non-ODmodels such as broadcast/multicast (described in detail subsequentlyherein), data/content download via a cable modem (e.g., IP transportmodality), out-of-band (OOB) communications channel, etc., the VODexemplar being merely illustrative of the broader principles of thedisclosure.

In a first step 502 of the method 500, a CPE 202 is configured. In oneembodiment, the server content management process 210 configures the CPE202 to operate in a determined fashion. Alternatively, the clientcontent management process 204 configures the CPE 202 to operate in adetermined fashion. In one variant, the CPE 202 is configured todesignate a server 208 and/or network storage device 214 for thereception of uploaded content. The CPE may also merely upload thecontent “blindly” to a designated network address (e.g., cache orbuffer), which is then processed by a head-end or other entity in orderto properly record the content in a fashion accessible by the user.

In another variant, the CPE 202 may be configured to automaticallyupload content at a predetermined time. In yet another variant, the CPE202 may be configured to automatically upload content upon theoccurrence of an event (e.g., expiration of a timer, receipt of amessage from the network, sufficient bandwidth availability, etc.). Instill yet another variant, the CPE 202 may be configured toautomatically upload in response to a user upload command. Varioustechniques for the configuration of the CPE 202 will be discussedfurther herein.

In step 504 of the method 500, the desired content is made available,and purchased or requested by a user (e.g., MSO subscriber). The requestfor the content may be instigated from the CPE 202 or a client device206, or may be as a result of interaction with a third party (e.g.,content source) web server, operator or other such network agent.

In one embodiment, a user is provided with a listing of availablecontent, comprising e.g., one or more entries corresponding to differentcontent titles, encoding formats, features, purchase options, and soforth, via a user interface. For example, one variant utilizes anon-screen display or GUI, generally similar to the well-known electronicprogramming guide (EPG), that lists the various choices available forpurchase. These might be indexed by category (e.g., feature lengthmovie, gaming application, video “shorts”, music, etc.), and sub-indexedby genre (e.g., comedy, drama, etc.), alphabetically by title or primaryactors, etc. Alternatively, a user might simply be presented with ashort GUI menu or pop-up display mechanism (e.g., window) listing newreleases for that week or month. The user interface can be invoked inresponse to a user request, such as for example by selecting a button onthe user's remote that interacts with their CPE 202, at a pre-designatedperiodicity (e.g., once per week), upon the occurrence of a particularevent (e.g., new release), or at the instigation of the MSO, althoughmyriad other approaches will be recognized by those of ordinary skill.

It will be appreciated that such user interface is not limited to theMSO network domain either. For example, as described in greater detailsubsequently herein, the user interface may comprise part of a PMD ormobile device (e.g., PDA or smartphone), which can access the MSOvirtual database manager from a remote location or network.

Once the user makes their selection(s), this information is transferredto the server content management process 210 via an upstreamcommunication channel, DOCSIS modem, ISP connection, or other modalityappropriate to the user's situation. The user's selection (e.g.,availability) and payment information are then validated, such as byaccessing a subscriber database associated with that user (as determinedby, e.g., TUNER ID, MAC, or other information uniquely identifying therequesting CPE/subscriber.

Menus or other user interfaces may also be generated for receiving userpreferences (e.g., format, particular versions of the same content,codec selection, upload configuration etc.). This information can betransmitted to the head-end at time of selection, or alternativelypre-stored in a configuration file disposed in the head-end or otherlocation directly accessible to SCM 210).

Next, per step 506, the purchased/requested content is delivered to astorage facility at the headend 150 (if not already there), such as alocal storage device 212 shown in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, the user'scontent selections and preferences, which may be received either at timeof purchase or pre-stored, are received by the SCM 210.

Selected content is optionally encoded or recoded as required (e.g.,such as where the content requires encoding into the format requested bythe user). The content can alternatively be coded “on the fly”, such asimmediately preceding streaming over a VOD session.

Note that storage need not necessarily occur at this stage of the method500 (or at all); rather, in another variant the SCM 210 merelyidentifies and validates the subscriber and permits access to contentthat has already been stored or that is available for streaming.

In one embodiment, the system provides a storage optimization algorithmrendered as a computer program running within the architecture (i.e.,either at the head-end, the client device, or as a distributedapplication as described elsewhere). The optimization algorithm may bestructured to store content in a more space-efficient and operationallyefficient mariner. In one variant, the storage optimization determineswhether a content item has already been uploaded/stored to the head-end.If the content item has already been uploaded once, the contentoptimization algorithm may prevent or delete duplicate copies from beingstored or uploaded at the head-end. The algorithm may operate withrespect to the network storage space associated with an individual user,or alternatively to the network storage space of multiple users or eventhe local storage of the head-end or network storage as a whole. To thatend, the MSO head-end saves space by building a database or library ofcontent that has been uploaded in network storage space by subscribersand using that database as a source for future requests of content. Ifthere is a request for a content item that has been already uploaded butrequires different personalizations or encodings, the SCM 210 may accessthe content item stored in the network storage device 214 and apply thedifferences before delivering the content item to the requesting device.The requesting device may or may not be required to be grouped or linkedwith the subscriber account associated with the uploaded content.

In step 508, the content is delivered to the target device (e.g.,customer CPE 202 or client device 206) via a communication channel. Thecontent is transmitted to the requesting CPE or client device, such asvia a session between the content server and the CPE (e.g. VOD) thattransmits the content over one or more in-band downstream QAMs.Alternatively, delivery may occur via a broadcast (e.g., BSA) mode, anIPTV (e.g., MPEG over IP) mode, via satellite link, or any other modehaving suitable bandwidth and quality of service (QoS).

Delivery may also occur to remote or visited networks; e.g., to clientdevices that are outside the MSO or “local” delivery network. Co-ownedand co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/440,490 filed May 24,2006 entitled “PERSONAL CONTENT SERVER APPARATUS AND METHODS”,previously incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, disclosesexemplary apparatus and methods for delivery of content to remote clientdevices and networks, although it will be recognized that otherapparatus and techniques may be used for this purpose. Accordingly, itwill be appreciated that the methodology of FIG. 5 advantageously issubstantially agnostic to the bearer medium, and amenable to redirection(i.e., requesting, customizing, receiving, and uploading the content canall be conducted at different locations or using different platforms).

In other variants, a user session based on the Session InitiationProtocol (SIP) is used for delivery, whether with the same or anotherbearer medium such as a non-VOD approach, or a WAP Wireless SessionProtocol (WSP) session disposed on a handheld device, and so forth. Itis noted that in such SIP or WAP variants, the initiating device neednot necessarily be the target device (e.g., DSTB) to which the contentis streamed. Rather, the SIP or WAP-enabled device can act as a sessionproxy for the DSTB or other target CPE, such as where the user utilizestheir SIP-enabled PDA to communicate with a head-end or othercontent-providing network entity to establish the download session.

The aforementioned VOD or other session (or user-specific broadcast inthe BSA variant) may be initiated promptly, e.g., automatically uponauthorization of the transaction, or alternatively at another timeselected by either the MSO or the user (such as, e.g., at apre-determined day or date when the content is to be released).Similarly, if the target CPE (e.g., DSTB) has multiple RF tuners and oneis available, data/content streaming or download can be initiatedimmediately, or as soon as a tuner becomes available when all areinitially in use. Likewise, if the CPE has a single tuner, thedata/content streaming or download is initiated when that single tuneris free.

The foregoing transmission or delivery logic can also be masked withother requirements if desired, such as where both a free tuner and thepermitted viewing start time falling within a prescribed temporal windoware required (i.e., viewing or access is valid only for a certain“aging” period), or where the user acknowledges a splash screen orcomparable mechanism acknowledging the copyright of the content to beviewed (akin to a physical DVD, where the user's DVD player controls areineffective during the copyright notice portions), and the restrictionson its use. Masking may also be based on network status or bandwidthavailability, such as where the session will not be instantiated untilsufficient bandwidth is available to provide a sufficiently highassurance of completing the streaming or download (and/or upload).

Upon receipt, the target device either conducts playback of the content,such as the playing of an MPEG-2 stream, or alternatively the playbackof a compressed video file downloaded at high speed, or even theinstallation and execution of an application. In response to the receiptof content, a notification may be sent upstream that includes recordinginformation about the content item.

It will be appreciated that the delivery of the content may occurimmediately, e.g., immediately after or even contemporaneous withstorage (if used) or buffering, and/or may occur at a subsequent time ordate, depending on the purchaser's preferences.

In step 510, the CPE 202 or client device 206 uploads the receivedcontent to a designated network host. The designated network host may bea server 208 in the headend 150, or network storage space not locatedand/or directly associated with the MSO server. In one variant, theserver 208 receives the uploaded content and redirects the content toits associated network storage space 214. Content may be uploaded on anupstream channel of the cable network or through a remote network aspreviously described. In one variant, content may be uploaded bytransferring the content to a connected user device and using theconnected user device to upload the content. For example, a CPE 202 may,in response to a user request, transfer content (e.g., via a premisesnetwork connection, USB connection, etc.) to a client device which isconfigured to upload the content contemporaneously with or as analternative to the upload function of the CPE 202. The request may comefrom a user of the CPE 202 or a remote client device. In one variant,only a portion of the whole program content is transferred to theconnected user device.

In one variant, the content is transferred to a second premises deviceand uploaded to the network storage from there, in response to adetermination that insufficient upload bandwidth or tuner availabilityat a first premises device will frustrate upload of content to thehead-end. For instance, the received content may be transferred viawired or wireless interface to the upload session will not beinstantiated until sufficient bandwidth is available to provide asufficiently high assurance of completing the upload. Alternatively,content is transferred upon determination that another premises devicewill upload data more efficiently.

In one embodiment, the system provides an upload prioritizationalgorithm rendered as a computer program running within the architecture(i.e., either at the head-end, the client device, or as a distributedapplication as described elsewhere). The upload prioritization algorithmcontains an upload queue and may schedule and/or rank multiple uploadevents. In one variant, content items may be cross referenced with adatabase stored within the system 200 or contain metadata that indicatesthe importance that a particular item is uploaded. The uploadprioritization algorithm interprets the upload priority information andschedules upload events accordingly. For example, Content Item A has anupload priority of 10, Content Item B has an upload priority of 5, andContent Item C has an upload priority of 1. Upon receiving andinterpreting this data, the upload prioritization algorithm schedulesContent Item A for immediate upload, Content Item B for upload nextweek, and Content Item C for upload not necessary or only upon userrequest. As such, the system is able to adapt to varying requirementsfor digital rights as set by content owners or the MSO while preservingupload bandwidth for items where upload may not be necessary.

In another embodiment, the CPE 202 is configured to upload contentperiodically. After a predetermined period of time, the CPE 202determines if any new or updated content has been stored and uploads thenew or updated content. Content may be considered new or updated if allor a portion of the files associated with the stored content havechanged since the last upload occurred. The CPE 202 may maintain a listor database of content items that have been stored or are scheduled tobe stored. In one variant, the database includes information about thestop and start times of download, upload and record events.Alternatively, the CPE 202 may indicate changes to content and the startand stop times of download, upload, and record events in the metadataassociated with the content. As an illustrated example, a CPE 202 may beconfigured to upload content every Monday at 12:00 PM. The CPE 202 scansits records for new content on Monday at 12:00 PM, finds content item Awas stored the previous Saturday, adds item A to an automatic uploadqueue and indicates the appropriate changes in a database and/ormetadata.

In one embodiment, the CPE 202 is configured to automatically uploadcontent upon reception of the content. In one variant, the CPE 202 isconfigured to automatically upload content once it has been receivedand/or after a predetermined time occurs/lapses after reception. Contentmay be considered received when reception of the content begins, whenstorage of the content has been completed, or at a time in between thosetwo stages (i.e., a predetermined percentage of content has beendownloaded and stored). In one variant, the CPE 202 parses the contentin a memory buffer so that portions of the content may be uploaded tothe network before the entirety of the content item has been received atthe CPE 202.

In one embodiment, a flag or marker may be stored and/or transmitted bythe client content management process 204 on the CPE 202 to indicatereception of content. The flag may identify a content item to aninternal or external process as new content that has been received.Alternatively, the flag may indicate that a search or query should beperformed by an internal or external process to identify new content onthe CPE 202. The head-end or CPE may initiate an upload in response toreceiving the flag.

In one embodiment, the CPE 202 is configured to automatically uploadcontent in response to an event. In one instance, content upload isperformed after a predetermined number of content items have beenreceived at the CPE 202. Alternatively, content upload is performed whenthe server 208 has delivered a predetermined number of content items. Inanother variant, content upload my performed when storage space on theCPE 202 hard drive has exceeded a predetermined capacity.

In one embodiment, the determination of new content is performed by theserver content management process 210 at the headend. When content isdelivered to the subscriber, the SCM 210 updates a database that tracksthe reception of content by the CPE 202. The database may be stored atthe CPE 202, the headend 150, or network storage devices locatedoffsite. In response to a lapsed period of time, event, or request, theSCM 210 accesses the database to determine if the CPE 202 has receivedcontent that has not yet been uploaded and if so, sends a command to theCPE 202 to initiate an upload of the new content. Alternatively, theserver content management process 210 may query files stored on the CPE202 to determine if new content exists.

In one embodiment, individual storage space is allocated for each CPE202. The allocated storage space may be expanded or reduced based onvarious business considerations and/or the subscription agreementbetween the operator and user. Content that is uploaded is stored at thehead-end or network storage device 214 and then made available forsubsequent access. Additionally, the content may be encrypted beforebeing uploaded to the head-end.

In one embodiment, when a plurality of users have requested, downloadedor uploaded the same content item(s), the storage optimization algorithmdiscussed above may store fewer or a single instance of the content itemat the network storage device to prevent or reduce multiple copies ofthe same content item. The storage optimization algorithm maydynamically adjust the number of content item(s) stored in the networkaccording to the popularity of the item or according to a time that hasbeen determined to be a time of high demand for at item or similarcontent items.

In another embodiment, the storage optimization algorithm determineswhether a content item has already been uploaded by that user. If not,an upload is scheduled for content that has not yet been uploaded. Ifthe content has already been uploaded, the storage optimizationalgorithm may remove the content from the local storage of the CPE 202since the subscriber will be able to access and receive the content at asubsequent time from the network storage. In one variant, the SCM 210 orCCM 204 prompts the user with options for deleting local content thathas already been uploaded. In another variant, a pre-storedconfiguration file stored on the CPE 220 or at the head-end is used todetermine rules for removing duplicate copies of content. For example,the CPE 202 may be configured to prompt the user for duplicate removalonly when the capacity of the CPE 202 hard disk space has exceeded apredetermined threshold. In yet another variant, removal or promptingfor removal only occurs after a determination that both the content hasalready been uploaded and the content has been viewed at least once bythe user.

An upload may be cancelled if the recording or storage of the content atthe CPE 202 is interrupted or fails to complete. In one variant, the CPE202 may automatically send a notification upstream to the head-end ifthe content item is not completely received. Alternatively, the head-endmay determine that a recording is incomplete when it compares metadata(e.g., start/stop times of the recording, size, etc.) with data valuesknown to be consistent with a complete recording of that particularcontent item.

It will be recognized that while certain aspects herein are described interms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, these descriptionsare only illustrative of a broader method and may be modified asrequired by the particular application. Certain steps may be renderedunnecessary or optional under certain circumstances. Additionally,certain steps or functionality may be added to the disclosedembodiments, or the order of performance of two or more steps permuted.All such variations are considered to be encompassed within the systemdisclosed and claimed herein.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features as applied to various embodiments, it will beunderstood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in theform and details of the device or process illustrated may be made bythose skilled in the art. This description is in no way meant to belimiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the generalprinciples. The scope should be determined with reference to the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Computer readable apparatus comprising anon-transitory storage medium, the non-transitory storage mediumcomprising at least one computer program having a plurality ofinstructions, the plurality of instructions configured to, when executedon a digital processing apparatus: enable at least a first computerizedclient device and a second computerized client device to upload one ormore digital content elements to a computerized storage apparatus;receive first data representative of a first request for upload of afirst digital content element from the first computerized client device;based at least on the received first data, cause the upload of the firstdigital content element from the first computerized client device;receive second data representative of a second request for upload of asecond digital content element from the second computerized clientdevice; utilize the second digital content element to identify at leasta portion thereof that is a duplicate of at least a portion of the firstdigital content element, the identification comprising: access of datastored at a computerized network entity, the stored data related toprior activity associated with at least one of the first digital contentelement or the second digital content element; and determination, basedat least on the accessed data, that the prior activity has occurredwithin a prescribed period of time prior to the determination; based atleast on the identification, assign a priority level for the upload ofthe second digital content element from the second computerized clientdevice, the priority level being lower than a priority level for theupload of the first digital content element; and based at least on (i)the identification, and (ii) the assigned priority level of the uploadof the second digital content element, prevent upload of the at leastportion of the second digital content element that is duplicative of theat least portion of the first digital content element from the secondcomputerized client device.
 2. The computer readable apparatus of claim1, wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, whenexecuted on the digital processing apparatus: based at least on thereceipt of the second data representative of the second request, cause asecond upload of a portion of the second digital content element fromthe second computerized client device, the portion of the second digitalcontent element of the second upload being different than any portion ofthe first digital content element.
 3. The computer readable apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein: the computerized storage apparatus comprises anetwork-based mass storage apparatus used to store data accessible to aplurality of different subscribers of a managed content delivery networkutilizing the mass storage apparatus; and the first computerized clientdevice and the second computerized client device are each allocated arespective user-specific or device-specific storage location within themass storage apparatus so as to maintain at least one of security orcopyright protection over digital content stored in the respectiveuser-specific or device-specific storage locations.
 4. The computerreadable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first computerized clientdevice and the second computerized client device each are configured toassert a respective virtual control boundary over at least respectiveuser-specific or device-specific storage locations of the computerizedstorage apparatus, the respective virtual control boundaries eachenforced via one or more software applications configured to be run fromat least one of: (i) the respective first or second computerized clientdevice, or (ii) the computerized storage apparatus.
 5. The computerreadable apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the computerized storageapparatus comprises a network-based mass storage apparatus used to storedata accessible to a plurality of different subscribers of a managedcontent delivery network utilizing the mass storage apparatus; the firstcomputerized client device and the second computerized client device areeach allocated a respective user-specific or device-specific storagelocation within the network-based mass storage apparatus; and at leastone of the first computerized client device or the second computerizedclient device is configured to assert a virtual control boundary over atleast (i) a respective user-specific or device-specific storage locationof the computerized storage apparatus of the at least one computerizedclient device, and (ii) a respective user-specific or device-specificstorage location of the computerized storage apparatus of another of thefirst or the second computerized client device.
 6. The computer readableapparatus of claim 5, wherein an ability of the at least one of thefirst computerized client device or the second computerized clientdevice to assert the virtual control boundary over at least (i) therespective user-specific or device-specific storage location of thecomputerized storage apparatus of the at least one computerized clientdevice, and (ii) the respective user-specific or device-specific storagelocation of the computerized storage apparatus of the another of thefirst or the second computerized client device, enables the computerizedstorage apparatus to conserve storage space as compared to operationthereof without the virtual control boundary; wherein the conservationof the storage space is based at least in part on an ability of thecomputerized storage apparatus to store at least portions of the firstor the second digital content element which are accessible to both thefirst and the second computerized client devices, thereby obviatingduplication of storage of the at least portions, based at least on theasserted virtual control boundary.
 7. The computer readable apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the data stored at the computerized network entitycomprises data representative of prior viewing activity at the firstcomputerized client device or the second computerized client device, theprior viewing activity associated with the at least one of the firstdigital content element or the second digital content element.
 8. Thecomputer readable apparatus of claim 7, wherein the data representativeof the prior viewing activity is (i) tracked via instances of a clientapplication program configured to run on respective ones of the firstand the second computerized client devices, and (ii) uploaded to thecomputerized network entity.
 9. A computerized method of contentmanagement within a content delivery network in data communication witha plurality of computerized client devices, a first of the computerizedclient devices and a second of the computerized client devices beingenabled for upload of a plurality of digital content elements to acomputerized network storage apparatus, the computerized network storageapparatus in data communication with the first computerized clientdevice and the second computerized client device via the contentdelivery network, the computerized method comprising: receiving firstdata indicative of a first request for upload of a first digital contentelement to the computerized network storage apparatus from the firstcomputerized client device; receiving second data indicative of a secondrequest for upload of a second digital content element to thecomputerized network storage apparatus from the second computerizedclient device, the second digital content element comprising at least aportion that is duplicative of a corresponding portion of the firstdigital content element; evaluating at least portions of the firstdigital content element and the second digital content element withrespect to one or more criteria, the evaluating comprising: accessing adatabase disposed at a computerized entity within the content deliverynetwork, the database configured to maintain data related to stop andstart times of at least one instance, prior to the accessing, of: (i)downloading, (ii) recording, or (iii) uploading, of at least one of (a)the corresponding portion of the first digital content element, or (b)the at least portion of the second digital content element; andutilizing the data related to the stop and the start times to determinewhether the at least one instance of the downloading, the recording, orthe uploading has been performed within a prescribed temporal limit;determining an upload classification of each of the first digitalcontent element and the second digital content element based at least onthe evaluating; and causing an upload of at least one portion of atleast one of the first digital content element or the second digitalcontent element based at least on the determining, and not the at leastportion of the second digital content element that is duplicative of thecorresponding portion of the first digital content element.
 10. Thecomputerized method of claim 9, wherein the determining of the uploadclassification comprises utilizing at least the determination of theperformance within the prescribed temporal limit to classify each of thefirst digital content element and the second digital content element aseither requiring upload or not.
 11. The computerized method of claim 9,wherein the accessing of the database comprises accessing the datarelated to the stop and the start times, the data related to the stopand the start times tracked via client application computer programseach configured to run on respective ones of the plurality ofcomputerized client devices.
 12. The computerized method of claim 9,wherein the determining of the upload classification comprises:identifying metadata stored in association with each of the firstdigital content element and the second digital content element, themetadata comprising data related to the stop and the start times; andassigning a metric relating to a relative priority classification basedat least on the identified metadata.
 13. The computerized method ofclaim 9, wherein the evaluating comprises: (i) determining a bandwidthrequirement for upload of the at least portions of the first digitalcontent element and the second digital content element; and (ii)comparing the determined bandwidth requirement with a criterion relatingto available upstream bandwidth within the content delivery network; andwherein the determining of the upload classification comprises usingresults of the comparing to determine said upload classification. 14.The computerized method of claim 9, wherein the causing of the upload ofthe at least one portion of the at least one of the first digitalcontent element or the second digital content element comprises at leastone of: (i) preventing upload of another portion of the at least one ofthe first digital content element or the second digital content elementuntil a sufficient level of bandwidth availability is detected; or (ii)preventing the upload of the another portion of the at least one of thefirst digital content element or the second digital content elementuntil receiving data representative of a subsequent request for theupload of the another portion of the at least one of the first digitalcontent element or the second digital content element.
 15. Computerreadable apparatus comprising a non-transitory storage medium, thenon-transitory storage medium comprising at least one computer programhaving a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructionsconfigured to, when executed on a processing apparatus of a computerizednetwork entity, cause said computerized network entity to: receive firstdata relating to a first request for upload of a first digital contentelement from a first computerized client device of a plurality ofcomputerized client devices; receive second data relating to a secondrequest for upload of a second digital content element from a secondcomputerized client device of said plurality of computerized clientdevices, said second digital content element comprising digital contentwhich is duplicative of digital content of said first digital contentelement; based at least on said first request and said second request,determine an upload priority for said first digital content element, thedetermination of the upload priority comprising: identification ofmetadata stored in association with each of the first digital contentelement and the second digital content element, the metadata comprisingdata related to stop and start times of at least one instance ofdownloading or uploading, of at least one of (a) digital content of thefirst digital content element, or (b) digital content of the seconddigital content element; and assignment of a metric relating to arelative priority classification based at least on the identifiedmetadata; based at least on said upload priority, cause a first uploadof at least a portion of said first digital content element to at leastone computerized network storage entity from said first computerizedclient device; and prevent upload of said digital content of said seconddigital content element which is duplicative of said digital content ofsaid first digital content element from said second computerized clientdevice.
 16. The computer readable apparatus of claim 15, wherein saidplurality of computerized client devices each are configured to assert avirtual control boundary around at least a portion of a storage locationof said at least one computerized network storage entity.
 17. Thecomputer readable apparatus of claim 15, wherein said plurality ofinstructions are further configured to, when executed, cause saidcomputerized network entity to: receive data relating to at least onesubsequent request for said first digital content element from a thirdcomputerized client device; determine whether at least one of: (i) adifferent personalization, or (ii) a different encoding, is required forsaid third computerized client device; and based at least on saiddetermination, cause a provision of at least one of differentlypersonalized variant or differently encoded variant of said firstdigital content element to said third computerized client device. 18.The computer readable apparatus of claim 15, wherein said plurality ofinstructions are further configured to, when executed, cause saidcomputerized network entity to: provide said second computerized clientdevice with data relating to a plurality of options for removal of saidduplicative digital content of said second digital content element froma local storage device of or in data communication with said secondcomputerized client device.
 19. The computer readable apparatus of claim15, wherein said at least one computerized network storage entitycomprises one or more device-specific or user-specific storage locationsallocated to each of said first computerized client device and saidsecond computerized client device, said first upload comprising anupload to at least one of the one or more device-specific oruser-specific storage locations allocated to said first computerizedclient device.
 20. The computer readable apparatus of claim 15, whereinsaid plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed,cause said computerized network entity to: communicate with a databasewhere the metadata is stored; and utilize the metadata to determinewhether the at least one instance of the downloading or the uploading,of the at least one of (a) the digital content of the first digitalcontent element, or (b) the digital content of the second digitalcontent element, has been performed within a prescribed temporal limit;wherein the assignment of the metric relating to the relative priorityclassification based at least on the identified metadata comprisesutilization of at least the determination of the performance within theprescribed time limit to classify each of the first digital contentelement and the second digital content element as requiring upload ornot.